Sacramento is hours away from Salinas, but it is where Stevie Bonsey's 'home' racetrack resides. When he steps onto the Cal Expo track this weekend, there will be plenty of family and friends ready to cheer him on.

Bonsey is one of dozens of riders scheduled to compete in the 49th Sacramento Mile race, and he'll try to make another move up the AMA Pro Grand National Championship standings.

"I like the track," Bonsey said of Cal Expo. "It's a tough one to ride, and the track gets slippery just before the main event."

Bonsey, a 2008 graduate of North Salinas High, is one of two Salinas natives not only competing, but in the top 10 in the standings. Bonsey is eighth. He'll be joined at the track by Briar Bauman, who is 10th in the standings.

Bonsey said he has had his share of ups and downs during the season. He has five top-10 finishes and been to the podium once, on opening weekend.

He still has a goal of winning the series championship, and it's not out of the realm yet. There's still about half a season to go, nine races total.

"I have to keep pushing and get some wins," Bonsey said. "Winning in Sacramento in front of the home crowd would be great."

The riders are coming to Sacramento after being in Western Washington state. Pennsylvania native Jared Mees boosted his points lead (127 total) by winning his second race of the season, matching Bryan Smith (122, second) and Kenny Coolbeth Jr. (114, fourth) for most wins on the season. They combine for six of the seven wins. Bauman has the other, winning the season opener in March at Daytona International Speedway.

Bonsey was seventh in Washington state, getting a confidence boost after taking 18th the previous race.

Smith will likely be the favorite going into the Sacramento Mile, given he is the three-time defending champion at the Sacramento track. He will try to become the first rider ever to win four in a row.

Bonsey has competed at the Sacramento Mile twice. Last year, he had bike issues and did not get a placing. He was 17th there in 2012.

With the season going into the point where there are races every weekend, Bonsey said it's important to get wins or good placings now.

"July through September can be a grind especially if you're struggling," Bonsey said.

Bonsey said he's been tweaking his dirt bike constantly, trying to find any edge in time trials or during races.

He made note of the timesheets that show the top 10 riders normally within a half-second of each other.

"One change can result in going up three to four spots," Bonsey said. "You try to make those changes to make up the time."

Bonsey has been riding for 20 years, taking to the tracks even when he was at Harden Middle School and then North Salinas. He said it's surreal to have been in the scene this long, and longtime fans have even mentioned his name in the same sentence as Salinas Valley Hall of Fame rider Doug Chander, also from Salinas.

He's been to 30 countries before turning 19 and has competed in several different circuits. The AMA Pro Flat Track series allows him to be stateside more often, which allows him and his family to connect more often during the season.

"It's awesome getting to see new places and meet awesome people and have a good time," he said.

This season is extra special so far because two Salinas riders are in the top 10.

"Me and Briar are doing good this year but we should do better," Bonsey said. "Briar has a lot of talent for being a youngster. Us local boys have to stick together. We're good friends."